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REBANA KERCING
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Introduction and history
Rebana Kercing is a traditional cultural heritage of Kelantan, Malaysia, carrying deep historical and religious significance. This art form has existed for more than 150 years, originating from Kampung Laut, Tumpat, Kelantan. It developed alongside the spread of Islam, which coincided with maritime trade expansion in the region during the 18th century.
The early development of Rebana Kercing is closely associated with the arrival of Muslim traders and missionaries from the Arab and Persian regions who traveled to Southeast Asia via sea routes. According to oral tradition passed down through generations in Kampung Laut, one of the ships carrying these merchants was badly damaged during a violent storm. By the will of Allah SWT, a school of barracuda fish reportedly helped to plug the leak, allowing the vessel to safely reach the shores of Kampung Laut. In gratitude for their survival, the group built a mosque that is now known as Masjid Kampung Laut, one of the oldest mosques that stands as a prominent symbol of the early arrival of Islam in Kelantan (Pak Su Harun, 2022).
Masjid Kampung Laut not only served as a center of worship but also became a hub for the dissemination of Islamic knowledge and cultural practices. Through their missionary work, these traders introduced Rebana Kercing as a form of religious teaching conveyed through artistic performance. The performance integrates singing, dancing, and music, with lyrics that praise the greatness of Allah SWT, the Prophet Muhammad SAW, and his companions. Additionally, the performance features synchronized dance formations accompanied by a group of musicians playing the rebana drums while singing along.
According to Nazman Che Ibrahim (2022), the emergence of ports in Kelantan in the past played a significant role as international trading hubs connecting various key destinations such as Java, Melaka, Pattani, Sumatra, and the Champa Kingdom. This maritime trade not only strengthened economic ties but also facilitated cultural exchanges and the widespread dissemination of Islam among local communities.
Beyond mere entertainment, Rebana Kercing served a deeper purpose in drawing the community, especially the youth, closer to the mosque and Islamic teachings. The performance became an effective medium for religious education and social engagement, encouraging the local population to embrace and practice Islam as a way of life (Pak Su Harun, 2022).
Today, Rebana Kercing continues to be recognized as one of Kelantan’s invaluable cultural treasures, reflecting not only the uniqueness of traditional performing arts but also serving as enduring evidence of the interplay between cultural expression, religious propagation, and the historical spread of Islam in the region.
Rebana Kercing plays a significant role in the cultural and religious landscape of the Kelantanese community. Its primary function is to serve as an effective medium for Islamic preaching and education within the local society. Through performances that combine singing, movement, and music, the lyrics delivered are rich with praises for the greatness of Allah SWT, the Prophet Muhammad SAW, and his companions. This artistic approach indirectly succeeds in attracting the younger generation to come closer to the mosque, learn the teachings of Islam, and apply them in their daily lives.
In addition to serving as a medium for religious preaching, Rebana Kercing also holds an important place in the community’s social and religious ceremonies, such as weddings, circumcision ceremonies, and celebrations of Islamic festivals. Its vibrant yet respectful performances make Rebana Kercing both educational and entertaining, often becoming the highlight of these occasions, eagerly anticipated by the local community.
In the context of cultural heritage preservation, Rebana Kercing stands as a symbol of identity for the Kampung Laut community in Kelantan. This performing art reflects the continuity of tradition and cultural values that have been passed down for centuries. It is a source of pride for the local people and serves as a medium to nurture a strong sense of identity and love for cultural heritage within the community.
For the dancers, they typically wear a set of Baju Melayu coordinated in different colors but within the same tone range to create visual uniformity. On the chest, dancers wear a chest covering known as La, which serves as an additional decorative element. The dancers’ heads are adorned with a songkok (traditional Malay cap) decorated with chicken feathers, symbolizing the identity of the performance. On their feet, dancers wear dark-colored socks to complete a neat and modest overall appearance.
As for the musicians, they also wear a complete set of Baju Melayu, accompanied by a samping (traditional waist cloth) and songkok, reflecting a traditional, proper, and tidy appearance. On their feet, the musicians wear appropriate footwear to maintain comfort throughout the performance.
The use of coordinated attire in matching tones not only creates a visually appealing performance but also reflects the discipline and unity of the performance group, thereby enhancing the overall quality of the performance in the eyes of the audience.
The Rebana Kercing is the sole primary musical instrument used in this performance. The term rebana itself originates from the Arabic word "Arba’atun", which means "four", symbolizing the four fundamental principles in Islamic teachings: obligations towards Allah SWT, nature, society, and oneself. Thus, the Rebana Kercing not only functions as a musical instrument but is also deeply imbued with religious symbolism and spiritual values within the Malay Muslim community.
In terms of its physical structure, it has a cylindrical shape with a round surface. The term rebana refers to the drum itself, while kercing refers to the metal or copper ornaments attached around the sides of the drum's frame. These metal pieces produce a distinctive "cing, cing" sound when struck, giving Rebana Kercing its unique tonal quality compared to other percussion instruments.
In terms of its construction, the surface of the Rebana Kercing is usually made from dried animal skin or belulang, specifically goat skin. It is believed that female goat skin produces a softer and more delicate sound, while male goat skin produces a sharper tone. The skin is stretched and tightly secured to the wooden frame using a technique of inserting it between the ring and frame to ensure optimal tension, thereby achieving the desired sound quality.
The frame of the Rebana Kercing is typically crafted from selected wood such as jackfruit tree trunks, known for their durability and high density, which contribute to good acoustic capability. If jackfruit wood is unavailable, cengal wood is often used as a strong and long-lasting alternative. According to researchers, the sound quality produced by a Rebana Kercing greatly depends on the size and thickness of the frame, the type of wood and skin used, as well as the skill and striking techniques of the player.
Preparation of the Performance
Encik Wan Azmi bin Mohd Noor. Kampung Laut, 16040 Tumpat, Kelantan
Reference Source
Azhar, W. N. I. L., & Rosdi, N. M. (2022). Perkembangan Dikir Rebana Kercing di Kampung Laut, Tumpat Kelantan, Malaysia: Satu Tinjauan Awal. International Journal of Creative Future and Heritage (TENIAT), 10(1).
Azlan, M. A. K., Sripaoraya, K., Foen, N. S., Muhammad, N. M. N., Jamal, D. H. D., & Rosdi, N. M. (2023). Rebana Kercing of Kampung Laut: Sustaining the Communal Activity with Academic Collaboration. The IAFOR International Conference on Arts & Humanities.
Zakaria, F. (2023). The Rebana Kercing of Kampung Laut, Kelantan: A Case Study of a Cultural Community Project to School Pupils. RUSAMILAE JOURNAL, 8-19.
Hazirah, N., & Ahmad Zakaria, R. M. (2020). Taksonomi Rebana Melayu. Jurnal Arkeologi Malaysia, 33.
Location
State JKKN Contact Information
Encik Wan Mohd Rosli bin Wan Sidik
Cultural Officer
Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara, Kelantan
Kompleks JKKN Kelantan
Lot 1993, Seksyen 49,Tanjong Chat,
15200, Kota Bharu,
KELANTAN DARUL NAIM
09-741 7000
